SEARCY – Harding University fifth-year head coach Tim Kirby will take his Lady Bisons to Wichita Falls, Texas on Sunday to meet Midwestern State in the women's basketball team's season opener. Monday the road trip continues to Denton, Texas where Harding will meet Texas Woman's.

Harding and Midwestern State will tip-off at 2 p.m. at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Monday's game at Texas Woman's begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Lady Bisons return two starters and five letterwinners off last season's team that finished 20-10 overall and reached its third straight Gulf South Conference Tournament.

Senior guard Kaitlin (May) Skinner and Stacey Owens are the two returning starters. Owens, a forward, was an All-GSC performer, averaging 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Skinner returns at point guard, where last season she averaged 4.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Also back are sophomore post Lindsey Root, junior guard Kallie Bartee and sophomore guard Sierra Rollins.

Harding has eight newcomers joining the squad this season, four upperclassmen and four freshmen. University of Central Arkansas senior transfer Meaghen Kelleybrew and junior forward Danielle Reiher, who transferred from Mesa Community College, will likely join Skinner, Owens and Rollins in Harding's starting lineup.

Midwestern State, a member of the Lone Star Conference, finished 8-18 last season. That included a 71-60 loss to Harding in Searcy on Nov. 29.

Harding leads the all-time series with Midwestern State 2-1, but Sunday's game will be the first in Wichita Falls.

Texas Woman's is also a member of the Lone Star and had a 16-11 overall record and an 11-3 record at home. Harding has won both previous meetings with Texas Woman's, but the teams have not met since a 67-64 Harding victory in Searcy in 1999.

The Lady Bisons are 17-8 all-time in season openers and has won the last five straight.